The last of the KC-135 tankers that were flown and maintained by Air Force Reserve Command’s 940th Air Refueling Wing at Beale AFB, Calif., have departed for a new home at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. The Appeal-Democrat reports that the 940th’s last two tankers flew off amid a water spray farewell May 3. According to earlier reports, the shift of the final aircraft wasn’t expected until this fall. Now, as part of BRAC 2005, many personnel of the 940th ARW will comprise an associate unit with the active force at Beale, performing command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
